Primary Headteacher

BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, HCMC

At the British International School, Ho Chi Minh City (BIS HCMC), we believe in a holistic education that fosters a love of learning, and which balances academic success with character development and wellbeing. We are a Nord Anglia Education School and the largest international school in Vietnam, educating over 2,400 students from more than 55 countries. In our most recent BSO Inspection, in November 2022, the school was rated ‘Outstanding in all Categories’ by the British Government. Our students achieve some of the best examination results in the world and go on to attend the top universities globally.

Our three campuses, located in the heart of Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, cater to students from 2 to 18 years of age. Split by age group, each purpose-built campus is home to state-of-the-art facilities, packed with interactive technology, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

The school is currently looking to recruit a:

Primary Headteacher

Due to the promotion of the existing postholder, BIS HCMC is looking to appoint a Primary Headteacher.

This vacancy will suit an outstanding educational leader ready for a challenging, exceptional and unique career opportunity. The successful applicant will report directly to the Principal and lead the day to day management and organisation of one of the Primary Campuses as well as overseeing its continued growth and development. The Primary Heads are responsible for all curriculum and pastoral matters.

We’ll look to you to provide effective leadership and advice to staff, students and parents while inspiring an atmosphere of energy, excitement and achievement. You will also be a key member of the Whole School Leadership Team.

About the Primary Senior Leadership Team

The Primary Senior Leadership Team (PSLT) is composed of two Primary Headteachers, two Deputy Headteachers, two Assistant Headteachers and the Whole School Deputy Headteacher who leads on Enrichment and Co-curricular activities. As a team, the PSLT leads on the delivery of an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Primary educational experience that is in line with our whole school vision and Aide Memoire. We endeavour to empower, support and guide the EYFS and Primary middle leaders, departments, teachers, and pastoral teams to ensure that all students have access to high-quality learning opportunities inside and beyond the classroom. Our holistic approach, whilst having the highest expectations for academic outcomes, is underpinned with excellent pastoral support and inclusive and engaging co-curricular activities.

The Primary Headteacher will inspire, lead, develop and manage all aspects of school life, including playing a key role in nurturing the values and culture of the school and creating its distinctive educational offer. They will focus on achieving the very best standards of education possible and building strong and purposeful relationships within the community. 

They must be an excellent communicator and compelling storyteller, ensuring our families understand our dynamic educational offer for their children, which will in turn continue to drive strong student enrolment and the growth of the school.

The successful applicant will: 

• Understand how to blend the best of premium education with contemporary international thinking to maintain a distinctive positioning for the school
• Understand that leading learning is at the heart of school leadership
• Collaborate and build high-performing teams, and inspire, motivate and develop sustainable relationships with all members of the school community
• Engage with students, teachers, parents and community leaders in a manner that is open, inclusive and conveys the values of the organisation and school

Please refer to the BIS HCMC Primary Headteacher Post 2025 - FA.pdf for further information.

Why Choose BIS HCMC? 

Our teachers are at the heart of all that we do, and you’ll relish working in our diverse school community, where everyone acts with respect, care, and integrity. On each of our three purpose-built campuses, world-class facilities will bring your teaching to life, inspiring every student to fall in love with learning. Continued Professional Learning ensures our pedagogical approaches remain up to date and reinforces the value we place on a strong professional learning community.

BIS HCMC offers a bespoke blend of British and International curricula, whilst balancing academic success and holistic development, therefore, unlocking a whole world of possibilities for our students. Our primary students follow the English National Curriculum blended with the thematic and interactive International Primary Curriculum and achieve outstanding outcomes. In Secondary, our students continue with the English National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 in preparation for their IGCSEs and later, the rigorous IB Diploma Programme. Our 2024 cohort of 102 IBDP graduates achieved an average score of 36.1 points, significantly higher than the global average of 30.3 points.

Beyond academics, we have an exceptional enrichment programme with over 100 Co-Curricular activities and expeditions both in Vietnam and globally that help our students overcome challenges, build confidence, create lifelong memories and change to the communities around them.  

Further information about BIS HCMC can be obtained from our website at www.bisvietnam.

Nord Anglia Education

When you join BIS HCMC, you’ll become part of the Nord Anglia global community of more than 15,000 people working together to support our students’ success. As part of Nord Anglia Education (NAE), we offer you unsurpassed opportunities to innovate and develop best practice, and you’ll have access to outstanding continuous professional learning including our award-winning Nord Anglia University platform, with hundreds of courses at your fingertips. At a Nord Anglia school, you will have opportunities to progress more, learn more, and collaborate more. In addition, we offer career and development opportunities that come with being part of our global organisation. Our collaborations with The Juilliard School, MIT, and UNICEF offers our teachers unrivalled access to leading experts in their fields. We also offer selected candidates from our staff worldwide an opportunity to earn their Executive Master’s in International Education in an exclusive collaboration with King’s College London.

Selection Process

The closing date for applications is Monday 3rd March 2025.

Please apply for this vacancy using our recruitment portal operated by Success Factors. You will need to upload a letter of application and an up-to-date CV, which must include a recent professional photograph and the contact details of three educational referees, one of whom must be your current employer.
 

Interviews: First stage interviews will be conducted online and final interviews will take place in Ho Chi Minh City.

Start Date: We offer a professional working environment and an attractive remuneration and benefits package. The initial contract is for 3 years with a start date of August 2025.

Safer recruitment: At Nord Anglia Education, we are committed to providing a world-class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people are able to thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils irrespective of race, ability, religion, gender or culture.
 

All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years.

We welcome applications from suitable qualified persons from all diverse backgrounds.

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.